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troutman · 01-10-2013, 02:27 PM

SI Power Rankings:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nhl...3_a4&eref=sihp

3 Edmonton Oilers (32-40-10)
Check with me in a month or two, but it says here that they will get off to a great start -- which really ups the odds of getting into the playoffs. Why the reason for Oil optimism? Because Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and newcomer D-man Justin Schultz all played regularly during the lockout in the AHL and will be that much further along than the players who were limited to informal skates or shinny matches for charity. Eberle had 51 points in 34 games for Oklahoma City, while Schultz had 48 in 34. Granted, big questions remain in goal and defense, but what an offense this should be.

24 Calgary Flames (37-29-16)
New coach Bob Hartley always gets his teams to play hard, but with an old roster full of high-paid guys, it won't be as easy. Maybe Hartley can get Jay Bouwmeester to show some passion, but we won't hold our breath. Jiri Hudler was a nice, if slightly overpaid, addition in the off-season and Miikka Kiprusoff remains a top goalie. So there is hope here, but a lot of things have to go right.

01-10-2013, 02:27 PM	#227
troutman Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Crowsnest Pass Exp:	SI Power Rankings: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nhl...3_a4&eref=sihp 3 Edmonton Oilers (32-40-10) Check with me in a month or two, but it says here that they will get off to a great start -- which really ups the odds of getting into the playoffs. Why the reason for Oil optimism? Because Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle and newcomer D-man Justin Schultz all played regularly during the lockout in the AHL and will be that much further along than the players who were limited to informal skates or shinny matches for charity. Eberle had 51 points in 34 games for Oklahoma City, while Schultz had 48 in 34. Granted, big questions remain in goal and defense, but what an offense this should be. 24 Calgary Flames (37-29-16) New coach Bob Hartley always gets his teams to play hard, but with an old roster full of high-paid guys, it won't be as easy. Maybe Hartley can get Jay Bouwmeester to show some passion, but we won't hold our breath. Jiri Hudler was a nice, if slightly overpaid, addition in the off-season and Miikka Kiprusoff remains a top goalie. So there is hope here, but a lot of things have to go right.